Months after the Nazi era began in 1933 with the appointment of Hitler as Chancellor, Joseph Goebbels was appointed as the Reich Minister of Propaganda. His sole job as minister was to create and facilitate propaganda which personified Nazi values and beliefs. Throughout the 1930s, endless propaganda was spread throughout Germany. Most of this propaganda was in the form of news style publications and tabloid print. Despite the endless amount of this propaganda, Goebbels was unsure as to how effective this was in convincing the people of Germany that Nazi values were the right values, particularly when it came to anti-semitism. Additionally in 1938, the Nazi’s were confident that the events of Kristallnacht would provoke a giant wave of anti-semitic feeling in Germany.
However, the Nazi’s did not see the reception they were looking for. Many Germans found themselves unable to accept the Nazi hatred of Jews for various reasons such as them having Jewish friends or relatives. Therefore by 1940, Goebbels decided to try film as a means of anti-semitic propaganda. Of the three anti-semitic films made under Goebbels, Jϋd Suss was by far the most popular and had the most lasting effect on the German populace. In addition, it seemed to finally convince many more Germans to accept the Nazi agenda. Most importantly, we must consider what made film more effective than other means of propaganda, and why Jϋd Suss in particular was the most compelling?
Throughout the 1930s, it became clear that the current means of propaganda would only reach so many people. Propaganda in the news tabloids was simply not effective enough in captivating all the German people. When this became apparent to Joseph Goebbels, he decided to call for the making of anti-semitic, propaganda films. These films became one of the most potent forms of Nazi propaganda, and the reasons for their effectiveness are clear. Firstly, film was especially popular in Nazi Germany. In fact, most people went to the cinema at least once or twice a week. During the Nazi era (1933-1945), people saw film as an escape from the troubles of their lives.
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This was particularly important during this time because most Germans were struggling with economic hardship from the Great Depression. Therefore, most Germans couldn’t afford extravagant means of entertainment, so they went cheaply to the movies. For this reason alone, film was able to reach many more people than other forms of propaganda. Additionally, film was particularly effective because it is a means of entertainment. Unlike news articles and print books, people enjoyed going to the movies and watching the films. This is important because people are much more likely to be captivated by the message of something if they are entertained in the process. Therefore, film was much more effective in persuading its viewers than other forms of propaganda.
Furthermore, it is important to understand why Jϋd Suss in particular was so very effective in being Nazi propaganda. One reason why Jϋd Suss was more effective than the other anti-semitic movies made at the time was because it was a feature film. While another film at the time, The Wandering Jew, was an anti-semitic documentary, Jϋd Suss was a feature film, intended “just” for the purposes of entertainment, or so the people believed. Also, the anti-semitism was not always obvious, as would be the case in a documentary.
In Jϋd Suss, there are subtle anti-semitic themes and references that are weaved into an engaging and exciting story. In addition, Jϋd Suss used new and modern cinematic technology and popular actors of the time, which to the audience emotionally, a way in which a documentary like The Wandering Jew simply could not. For these reasons alone, Jϋd Suss was an enormous box office success, which secured that the film would be preaching to an enormous audience of Germans who saw it and received the message. Secondly, the content of the film is another reason why Jϋd Suss was extremely effective.
Before the film even starts, a printed line appears on the screen that states “the events in this film are based on historical facts.” Veit Harlan, the director of Jϋd Suss, immediately gives the film credibility by saying it is “based on a true story,” as would be said today. In addition, countless anti-semitic stereotypes are present throughout the film. For one, the story revolves around a conniving Jew who is greedy and will stop at nothing to gain power and make money, even at the expense of the German people. In fact, at one point the main Jewish character in the film, Oppenheimer, who happens to be a financial advisor, says “Power is money.”
This relates to a passage from Hitler’s Mein Kampf, in which he states of a Jew that “he always seeks a new feeding ground for his race….He is and remains the typical parasite, a sponger who…keeps spreading as soon as a favorable medium invites him. And…wherever he appears, the host people dies out after a shorter or longer period”(Rabinbach and Gilman, Source # 76,189). Hitler goes on to say how as soon as a Jew feels strong enough in his new environment, he drops his “protective cloak” and shows himself to be who he truly is: a lying Jew. This Nazi ideology as expressed by Hitler is mirrored in Jϋd Suss. Oppenheimer disguises himself and sneaks across the Wϋrttemberg border, and teaches the Duke how to make money.
However, as the movies goes on, Oppenheimer is revealed to be a lying, conniving, money-grubbing, creepy Jew who does only what’s best for him at the expense of the German people. Later on, a German exclaims “once again a Jew has organized a meat-market, and our daughters are to ve theo merchandise.” Of course, towards the end of the film Oppenheimer is shown raping a young woman. One very important distinction made towards the beginning of the film is when Oppenheimer is asked where his homeland is, and he replies that he is from everywhere. This is reaffirming the notion that Jews don’t consider themselves Germans first, and aren’t loyal to the mother nation.
The overwhelming amount of stereotypes present in this film contribute to its effectiveness. More importantly, disgusting acts such as raping a young girl easily stir up anger. The German viewers of Jϋd Suss can be more easily swayed and convinced by an emotional reaction to the film. Therefore, Jϋd Suss is particularly effective as Nazi propaganda due to its being as a feature film and its content, most notably the use of stereotypes and Nazi ideology.
Finally, film was more effective in convincing people to accept and believe in Nazi beliefs and values than other means of propaganda because it made these claims come alive, which made them that much more real and true to the viewers. There is something about film that print news cannot do. Film personifies the ideas expressed in a news article. There is a large difference between reading about something and seeing it happen with your own eyes. When you see something happen, you can easily believe that it is the truth.
Also, film is entertaining, unlike most news. This is why Jϋd Suss was most effective when compared to other propaganda films at the time. It was meant to be an entertaining feature film for all to see. The very fact that it was a box office success suggests why its message was so prevalent across Germany. Therefore, it is clear for the many reasons stated that film was more effective than other means of propaganda, and that Jϋd Suss in particular was the most compelling and powerful in conveying the Nazi message to the most people.
